Elegy | Types of Elegy
Elegy | Types of Elegy: Introductory
The Elegy is a type of poetry that deals with the theme of lamentation for a dead person. Like lyrics, the Elegy is of Greek origin. Originally elegy treated a great variety of themes as- death, love, war, bravery, commemoration, etc., and was distinguished from other types of poetry not by its subject matter (theme) but by its special meter called Elegiac Meter (a dactylic hexameter followed by a pentameter). The ancient Greek poets Theocritus, Bion, Moschus, and the Roman poet Virgil were pioneers in the creation of Elegies.
Elegy as a special type of poetry was introduced to English poets during the Renaissance. The English poet Edmund Spencer, John Milton, Mathew Arnold, Thomas Gray, Tennyson, P. B. Shelley, and some others wrote successful elegies in English taking the ancient Greek and Roman poet Virgil as their models. But in English, its theme becomes restricted to mourning for a dead person only. Now an elegy is judged not by its meter but by its subject matter which is lamentation or an expression of personal bereavement and sorrow. Among English elegies mention may be made of Spencer’s Shepherd’s Calendar, Milton’s Lycidas, Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written on Country Churchyard, Arnolds’ Thyrsis and Shelly’s Adonais.
The elegy as a distinct form of poetry has some common characteristics as- (1) mournfulness, (2) sincerity of emotion and expression, (3) reflectiveness, (4) subjectivity and (5) universality.
There is another form of elegy called Pastoral Elegy. Apart from bearing the general characteristics of an elegy, the Pastoral elegy is featured by (1) the portrayal of unsophisticated country life, (2) it takes a shepherd or shepherdess as its character who roams over from pasture to pasture lamenting over the death of his dearest one and fairies, nymphs and other herdsmen join in the lamentation, (3) it ends with the resignation to the inevitable.
The convention of this pastoral elegy dates back to Theocritus, a Greek poet of the third century B. C. Later on, Virgil a Roman poet of the first century B. C. wrote elegies in this pastoral tradition. In English, a good number of pastoral elegies were composed among which mention may be made of Spencer’s Shepherd’s Calendar, Milton’s Lycidas, Arnold’s Thyrsis, P. B. Shelley’s Adonais, and a few others.
Elegy and Types of Elegy: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction: What is an Elegy?
An elegy is a form of lyric poetry that expresses sorrow, mourning, or lamentation, typically for someone who has died. The term is derived from the Greek word “elegos,” meaning “a song of lament.” Traditionally, elegies are written in a formal and reflective style, often blending personal grief with more universal themes such as loss, memory, and the passage of time. Over centuries, elegy has evolved to include different themes beyond death, such as mourning the loss of ideals, values, or even a past era.
While the subject matter is usually serious, elegies often provide a sense of consolation or resolution by the end, transforming grief into acceptance or offering some form of solace.
Key Characteristics of an Elegy:
- Lamentation: The elegy starts with expressions of grief and sorrow, often detailing the reasons for mourning.
- Praise: It often involves praise of the deceased or what has been lost, focusing on their virtues and contributions.
- Consolation: Most elegies end with a sense of resolution or comfort, offering peace or hope despite the sorrow.
Types of Elegy
Through the ages, elegies have been categorized into different types based on their themes and treatment of the subject. Below are the main types of elegy, along with examples from notable poems.
Classical Elegy
The classical elegy follows the structure of ancient Greek and Roman poetry, typically written in elegiac couplets (a pair of lines consisting of a hexameter followed by a pentameter). While originally not limited to the theme of mourning, it gradually became associated with lamentation.
In “Amores,” the Roman poet Ovid writes love elegies, but they take on an elegiac tone of sorrow and longing, focusing on the pain and anguish of love. While these are not elegies in the modern sense, they adhere to the classical structure and form.
“Why did I see, why was I so taken?
Such bitterness, such grief, love, you bring!”
Pastoral Elegy
The pastoral elegy is rooted in the classical tradition but incorporates elements of pastoral poetry, which idealizes rural life and nature. In a pastoral elegy, the deceased is often represented as a shepherd, and the mourning takes place in an idyllic, pastoral setting. This form of elegy frequently includes mythological references and seeks solace in nature.
Milton’s “Lycidas” is a quintessential pastoral elegy written to mourn the death of his friend Edward King, a fellow Cambridge student. In the poem, King is represented as a shepherd, and Milton explores both personal grief and a reflection on the role of poets in society.
“For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime,
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer.”
In this poem, Milton weaves in pastoral imagery while mourning the untimely death of his friend and questioning the meaning of life and death.
Romantic Elegy
During the Romantic period, poets shifted their focus to expressing deep, personal emotions, often reflecting on nature, the self, and the transience of life. Romantic elegies still mourn loss but emphasize the individual’s internal experience and emotional depth.
Shelley’s “Adonais” is a famous elegy written in memory of fellow Romantic poet John Keats. This elegy embodies the Romantic spirit, focusing on Keats’ untimely death and celebrating his poetic legacy.
“He has outsoared the shadow of our night;
Envy and calumny and hate and pain,
And that unrest which men miscall delight,
Can touch him not and torture not again.”
In “Adonais,” Shelley mourns Keats’ death but ultimately finds solace in the belief that Keats’ spirit transcends the material world.
War Elegy
The war elegy emerged as a powerful form during times of conflict, particularly in the 20th century. These elegies lament the senseless loss of life caused by war and often question the value of the sacrifices made. War elegies are marked by a deep sense of disillusionment and a critique of violence.
Owen, a soldier in World War I, wrote “Anthem for Doomed Youth” as an elegy for the countless soldiers who died in the war. The poem uses the metaphor of a funeral to express the futility and horror of war.
“What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.”
This war elegy contrasts the peaceful rites of death with the brutal, impersonal slaughter of soldiers, making a strong anti-war statement.
Modern Elegy
In modern poetry, the elegy has broadened its scope. It no longer adheres strictly to traditional forms and may focus on themes of existential loss, identity, societal change, or the decline of culture. Modern elegies often explore multiple forms of grief, including mourning for abstract concepts such as time, youth, or lost values.
Auden’s elegy for the Irish poet W.B. Yeats is a striking example of a modern elegy. The poem not only mourns Yeats’ death but also meditates on the role of poetry and art in a world that seems indifferent to loss.
“Earth, receive an honoured guest:
William Yeats is laid to rest.
Let the Irish vessel lie
Emptied of its poetry.”
Auden’s elegy is more reflective than traditional ones, focusing on the impact of Yeats’ death on the world of poetry and culture.
Personal Elegy
The personal elegy is one that centers on the poet’s personal grief over the loss of a loved one, a friend, or someone significant. These elegies are intimate and emotional, often delving deeply into the poet’s relationship with the deceased.
This long elegy was written by Tennyson over several years to mourn the death of his close friend, Arthur Henry Hallam. It reflects not only personal grief but also philosophical contemplation on life, death, and faith.
“Be near me when my light is low,
When the blood creeps, and the nerves prick
And tingle; and the heart is sick,
And all the wheels of Being slow.”
Tennyson’s elegy moves from mourning to eventual acceptance, contemplating the nature of death and the afterlife.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Elegy
The elegy, as a poetic form, has evolved significantly over time, from the structured couplets of classical Greece to the free verse of modern poetry. Whether mourning the death of a person, a time, or an ideal, elegies continue to resonate because of their deep emotional core and their universal themes of loss and remembrance. Each type of elegy provides a unique lens through which poets express their grief, making this poetic form one of the most enduring across literary history.
From the pastoral fields of “Lycidas” to the battlefields of “Anthem for Doomed Youth,” elegies reveal the depth of human experience in facing mortality, leaving behind a legacy of solace, reflection, and beauty amidst sorrow. 0 0 0.
N. B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Menonimus Dictionary of Literary Terms‘.
Books on Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD) …
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